RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Trade continues to oversee the smooth export of ready-to-eat meals to Saudi Arabia to meet the needs of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims during the 1447 Hijri Hajj season. Indonesian Trade Attaché in Riyadh, Zulvri Yenni, said in Riyadh on Friday, May 22, 2026, that the effort aims to ensure food supplies for Indonesian pilgrims in the Holy Land remain secure.

One of the efforts includes facilitating exporter PT Halalan Thayyiban Indonesia (PT HATI), which is sending nearly 360 thousand portions of ready-to-eat meals to Saudi Arabia. According to Zulvri, the Ministry of Trade has helped accelerate several technical processes, including the issuance of Certificate of Origin Form B in Indonesia, the sample testing process by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, or SFDA, and customs clearance in Saudi Arabia.

“We continue to oversee and facilitate various technical obstacles so that the export of Indonesian ready-to-eat products can run smoothly. This step is important to ensure the availability of food supplies for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims during the pilgrimage,” Zulvri said, quoted from official statement.

The exported products include Indonesian dishes such as black pepper beef rice, beef balado rice, chicken gulai rice, chicken opor rice, chicken semur rice, beef semur, beef rendang, and beef balado. All products have obtained halal certification from the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency, or BPJPH, and health certificates from the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM).

The products are currently undergoing inspection at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Zulvri said demand for ready-to-eat meals for Indonesian Hajj pilgrims is high every year. With the large number of pilgrims, at least one million portions of ready-to-eat meals are needed to support their needs while in the Holy Land.

He added that smooth distribution and supply certainty are crucial. The facilitation also aims to strengthen the penetration of Indonesian halal products and processed foods into the Saudi Arabian market.

“The Ministry of Trade’s facilitation in overseeing the smooth export of ready-to-eat meals is also an effort to strengthen the penetration of Indonesian halal products and processed foods into the Saudi Arabian market. This commitment will continue for next year’s Hajj,” he added.

Meanwhile, PT HATI Representative in Saudi Arabia, Arif Billal, expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh through the Indonesian Trade Attaché. He said the support helped business actors deal with administrative and regulatory procedures in Saudi Arabia.

Arif added that fast coordination with Saudi authorities had also benefited importer partners. He said around 180 types of Indonesian ready-to-eat meals are currently available for exporters and importers, all of which must meet halal and health certification requirements while maintaining the authentic taste of Indonesian cuisine for the comfort and health of pilgrims.